Best speed loader for a 7-shot S&W 686
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ColtPythonElite
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HKS works for me. I pick them up for 5 bucks on average for used ones at a gunshow.
You ever consider recessing the cylinder and converted to where it will accept moon clips. This guys will do it for $150 plus shipping. You only have to send the cylinder not the entire gun which includes 3 moon clips, and you can buy additional moon clips in packages of 10. Check them out, I do not work for them or anything but I have a 686 no dash I have been thinking of converting to this.
https://tenring.com/moon-clip-conversions/
https://tenring.com/moon-clip-conversions/
CaptHank
Member
Of the 2 options, I'd definitely pick the Speed Beez. The cat's meow would be some SL Variants, but they're neigh impossible to find. A spring-loaded push-to-release speed loader is going to be faster and more "positive" than any twist-to-release type, though the latter might be more concealable.
Personally, I've never used/needed a loading block, though I can see how they'd be handy. More to the point, though, I'd also spring for a speed loader holder. Speed loaders are obviously made for speedy reloads, and you can't affect a speedy reload if the speed loader's not on your belt and in easy reach - speedloaders that are sitting on the range bench or stuffed in your pocket are essentially useless novelties.
CaptHank
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I have had them in the night stand and safe, for about 5 years. No problems dropping the rounds into cylinders. Plus, they look "slick".
Zaydok Allen
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I have the same one for my 686+. They seem to be made pretty nice. If you want a quick bedside reload block, they are nice, and that's what I bought it for. However, I like a big grip on my gun, and spend decent money on something that works for me. If you aren't careful, the corners on the 5 Star can gouge up your grip, and for that reason, I think I like HKS a little better.
I have a 586L comp that is cut for moonclips and all I find it good for is the first load and guaranteeing you will get a full ejection. I find trying to quickly load 7 rounds of long cartridges into a 7 round cylinder akin to trying to push a rope. I carry speed strips. If it is just for range work the loading blocks from 5 star firearms look and work great.
Taroman
Member
As a gift, that Speed Beez loader/block/case would be the buzz.
I would love to receive one.
Can I get on your Christmas list?
Pretty please!
I would love to receive one.
Can I get on your Christmas list?
Pretty please!
Zaydok Allen
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- Feb 12, 2011
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- 13,274
It shouldn't be. Mine is a 3-5-7 as well, and the stock grips that came on it were so narrow I changed them before shooting the gun. If thicker grips aren't likely, 5 Stars should be just fine.
The technique we learned in the academy for loading in the dark (eyes closed) was to place the thumb of the support hand in one of the flutes of the cylinder and the tip of the index finger of the strong hand between two of the cartridges...then, "index finger finds thumb nail." It does require that you use a Strong Hand reloading technique
Granted I learned this was with speed loaders, but it works just as well with moon clips when I tried reloading with them
Master Blaster
Member
HKS all the way simple, reliable, they work. I tried the safariland push loaders I had two of them fail to retain the rounds after a couple months of daily carry and weekly practice. The push design is unreliable and prone to breakage and wear.
cslinger
Member
I have a bunch of HKS loaders for 5, 6 and 7 shoot revolvers. They are simple cheap and work well. That being said I have a bunch of 5star 8 shot loaders and they are little aluminum works of art.
The biggest problem, if you will, is the 5star twists the opposite direction of the HKS loaders. Left vs right.
The biggest problem, if you will, is the 5star twists the opposite direction of the HKS loaders. Left vs right.
I don't think the push design can be legitimately and categorically dismissed as "unreliable and prone to breakage and wear" just because you had 2 bad experiences with them. That's a bit of a stretch, IMO.
This is my thought also.
I carried the Safariland I and II for years in Patrol and never had one fail. While I started with the Dade Machine ones, also a push design, while shooting PPC, I moved to the Safariland II when I changed guns...I was practicing more than just weekly...plus two 300 round matches every couple of weeks...and never had them drop rounds when I didn't want them to.
I'm currently using the Safariland III in competition for the last couple of years and haven't experienced any failure to retain rounds that were correctly loaded into them.
OP - If you decide to go with a Twist Release speedloader, I highly recommend the 5-Star over the HKS. The workmanship is outstanding, as expected for the price, and the direction of rotation to release the cartridges is more natural for your wrist
I bought a bunch of 5 Stars for my wife's 386 Nightguard and they work well, are of high quality. That said, I didn't see the Speed Beez then (not on market yet?), just HKS as the only other option for the 7 shot Smith. Had the Speed Beez been out, I'd have tried 1 for sure and standardized on them or the 5-Star depending which worked best. The Beez looks like the better (faster) mousetrap.
You can't mix and match types though IMO since the releases are all different and you only want one motion to be trained to subconscious competence under stress.
You can't mix and match types though IMO since the releases are all different and you only want one motion to be trained to subconscious competence under stress.
scotty
Member
Some years ago I used my 686+ in USPSA matches with HKS speedloaders. They worked well but the walls between the chambers are necessarily thin and had a tendency to crack after a lot of use. When this happened the rounds would hang up in the loader and fail to reliably fall into the cylinder. The 5 and 6 shot HKS loaders I have for other guns have been absolutely reliable. The 5 Star loaders shown above look to be the answer to that problem. I later got a 610 which uses moon clips and never looked back.
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